Handle-bar brace



Dec. 10, 1929. T. THOMPSON HANDLE BAR BRACE Filed May 31, 1928 2Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 10, 1929.

T. THOMPSON 1,738,855

HANDLE BAR BRACE Filed May 31, 1928 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 flizvenfor m@771021105 7l1omps02z Patented Dec. 10, 1929 THOMAS THOMPSON, or mesaromas, Iowa HANDLE-BAR BlEtAGE Application filed. May 31, 1928.

The object of this invention is to provide improved means for bracingthe handle bars of bicycles, motorcycles, and the like.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved handle barbrace which is economical of manufacture, quickly and easily installedand efficient in use for preventing collapse or bending or unduevibration of handle bars.

With these other objects in view my invention consists in theconstruction arrange ment and combination of the various parts of mydevice, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinaftermore fully set forth, pointed out in my claims, and illustrated in theaccompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a portion of a bicycle with apair of my improved braces mounted thereon in position for practicaluse.

Fig. 2 is a section longitudinally of one of the braces on the line 2-2of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross-section through one of the braces on the line 33 ofFig. 2 on an en-- larged scale.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a different form of bracingmeans.

Fig. 5 is a front elevation partly in section, illustrating the brace ofFig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a cross-section onthe line 6-6 of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is an inner face view of a portion of the brace showingparticularly the adjusting means between the two members.

I have illustrated my improved brace in connection with a bicycleincluding a front wheel 10 rotatably mounted on an axle 12 carried by afork 14 having its stem 16 swivelly mounted in a bearin 18 of the frame20. At the upper end of the stem 16 I have shown the usual handle bar 22adjustably secured in a clamp 24 and extending transversely andrearwardly and terminating in the hand grips 26 and 28. In the presentinstance, I have shown the side portions of the handle bar 22 connectedby a transverse brace member 30 located near the grips in com monmanner.

I have shown one of my improved braces Serial No. 281,918.

mounted on each side of the handle bar and it will be understood thatthese braces are alike in construction, but are oppositely arranged whenin position for use.

My improved brace includes a clip 32 of the nature of a clamp memberembracing the handlebar 22, preferably in a position just forwardly ofeither of the grips 26 or 28. A brace rod 84 has one end flattened to bereceived between the ends of the clip 32 and apertured to receive a bolt36 extending through said members. By this means the upper end of thebrace rod is secured to the clip and the clip is rigidly secured to thehandle bar when the nut of the bolt 36 is drawn up tight.

Coacting with the brace rod 34 is a tubular brace member 38 within theupper end of which the rod 34 is adjustably secured.

The lower end of the tubular brace member 38 is bent at an angle and isflattened to form an attaching car 40, which ear is formed with anaperture 42 by which the ear is secured to the threaded bolt 12 forminga part of the axle of the front wheel of the bicycle.

The upper end of the tubular brace member 88 is provided with a collar44 having a set screw46 threaded therein, whereby any desired adjustmentbetween the rod 34 and tube 38 may be maintained and secured.

When the brace is assembled and mounted as shown and described, theattaching ear lies against the outer face of the lower end of one of theside members of the fork 14 and thence the tubular member 38 extendsoutwardly, upwardly, and rearwardly; and the brace rod 34 forms anadjustable continu ationthereof by which connection is secured to thehandle bar. The flattened upper end of the brace rod 34 also is bent ata slight angle to bring it into the proper plane to be received withinthe end portions of the clip 32. a

in the form shown in Figs. 4 to 7 inclusive, the clip 32 is employed onthe handle bar 22, but the telescoping relation of the brace members isomitted and an overlapping adjustable connection is employed.

In this connection, I employ a relatively long brace rod 48, which maybe of any desired cross-section and which is apertured at its upper endfor receiving the bolt 36 of the clip.

An'attaching member 50 is employed in connection with the brace rod 48and these members are mounted in overlapping relation. The attachingmember 50 is formed of a flat'piece of metal arranged to contact with aflat face of the brace rod 48 and is formed with a longitudinal slot 52in which is adjustably mounted a bolt 54 which passes through anaperture of the rod 48.

At its lower end the attaching member 50 l I is bent laterally to forman ear 56, which is justable securing means or clamp 24. This bracingmeans is effective in maintaining the handle bars in proper relation tothe axle of the front wheel and it is obvious that each brace member maybe adjusted as to length and as to position of engagement with thehandlebar to suit any desired adjustment of the latter. 7 l

I claim as my invention:

1. A brace of thecharacter described, comrisin an attachin member havinone end C D i b I portion flattened and formed with an aperture forengaging a cycle axle, a brace rod having an adjustable engagement withthe necting one end of said member to a cycle axle, a brace rod havingan adjustable engagement with the other end of said attaching member, aclip arranged to embrace a cycle handle bar and formed with spacedapertured end portions, the adjacent end of said brace rod beingflattened for reception between the ends of said clip, said flattenedend portion and the ends of said clip being formed with registeringapertures, and a clamping bolt mounted through said apertures forsecuring the clip rigidly on the handle bar and for holding the bracerod relative thereto.

l A brace of the character described, comprising an attaching member,means for connecting one end of said member to a cycle axle, a bracerod, means for securing the lower end of said brace rod to the attachingmember, said brace rod extending upwardly and outwardly on an inclinedline and being bent between its ends to bring its upper end portion intoa substantially vertical plane, and clip on the upper end of said bracerod adapted for rigidly engaging a cycle handle bar adjacent the handlegrip thereof.

THOMAS THOMPSON.

other end portion of said attaching member,

a clip arranged to be mounted rigidly on'a cyclelhandle bar, and aclamping bolt mounted through the ends of said clip, said brace rodhaving one end flattened and apertured whereby it may be receivedbetween the ends of said clip and engaged by said clamping bolt,theflattened ends of said attaching memher and brace rod being arrangedat angles to the common axis thereof, whereby the main portion ofthebrace extend upwardly and outwardlyon an oblique line to permit saidclip to engage near the outer'end portion ofthe handle bar. 7

2. A brace-of the character described, comprising an attaching memberformed with a longitudinal slot, means for connectin one end of.said'member to a c'ycle'axle, a race rod, a'clip attached to said bracerod and adapted to be mounted rigidly on a cycle handle bar,"and a boltadjustably connecting said brace rodto the slotted portion of saidattaching member. v V

i 3. A brace of the character described, com prising an attachingmember, means for con-

